It is odd to see someone you know in the news . . . this NPR article has a picture of Stoney whom I have known for years.

He is not exactly who I would pick to write a story on homelessness about; but on the other hand, this man is a scrapper. He can sell a single tennis shoe for $4.00 then buy 2 shirts with the proceeds and sell them for $10.00 and on and on. Recently there was a news article about the man who turned a red paperclip into a house through barter, well, he has nothing on Stoney Bob.

I have found this man asleep in my car, under my car, outside my office door, in the stairwell, seen him fleeing the back of a delivery truck, pulled printers from out under his shirt., If it is not nailed down Stoney will find it, get it and turn it into a tool for survival. And really, more power to him. Although I never appreciate being robbed by anyone, including Stoney, he does not have the Entitlement issue so many other people have, He does not think the world owes him a living, he will find a way to survive on his own terms. Now I know you probably just shuddered and shook your heads and said “What a criminal”, some of you did, I can see you through the screen! Take a moment to wonder why it is such a horrible thing and why you despise what he does to survive when you cheered on a younger version of him in Aladdin. . . Perhaps it is food for thought.

“One Jump Ahead”Aladdin:Gotta keepOne jump ahead of the breadlineOne swing ahead of the swordI steal only what I can’t afford( That’s Everything! )

One jump ahead of the lawmenThat’s all, and that’s no jokeThese guys don’t appreciate I’m broke